MTC has reiterated that customers who wish to continue using the services provided by the mobile giant must provide their biometric data during the registration of their SIM cards.

MTC's insistence comes in contrast to the stance taken by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), which clarified that the capture of biometric data would not be mandatory for SIM card registrations.

Despite the directive issued by CRAN on Friday, MTC remains firm in its position.

A researcher with the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), Frederico Links claims, there is no transparency in the biometric data collection, MTC is currently carrying out.

In an interview with nbc News Links says, when registering their sim cards subscribers are taken through a process that includes capturing a picture and fingerprints.

This has raised many eyebrows as the law currently only allows for basic information such as identification copy and residential address. 

MTC  customers are required to provide biometric data, as a condition of sale for all its services.

Those failing to provide fingerprints and photographs will not complete their SIM card registration process and their services will be discontinued at the start of next year.

Research Associate at the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), Fredricko Links last week published a report in which he questioned the information from its users.